'Not terminal yet, but it's close': Bennett bemoans Rabbitohs' slide

By Darren Walton

August 18, 2019 — 1.27pm

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Wayne Bennett concedes he'll return to Brisbane for the NRL grudge match of the year with South Sydney's title hopes on life support.

While the Rabbitohs are assured of September football courtesy of their best start to a campaign in 30 years, seven defeats in 10 games have sent Bennett's early-season pacesetters tumbling out of the top four for the first time.

Bennett had hoped Sam Burgess's return would spark his star-studded side back into action.

Instead, Burgess finished Saturday's match aggravating a quad strain, an injury that threatens to sideline the skipper from Friday night's blockbuster with the Broncos.

The showdown will mark Bennett's first game against his old club at Suncorp Stadium since rugby league's longest-serving and most respected coach learned of his sacking from the club last October via voice mail.